Method of treating textiles and composition used in the method



Patented Aug. 8, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Hilton Ira Jones, Wilmette, Ill.

N0 Drawing. Application January 6, 1930 Serial No. 419,003

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a method of treating textiles and a composition used in the method, and it consists in the steps hereinafter enumerated and in the composition used.

An object of my invention is to provide an improvement over that set forth in my prior Patent No. 1,688,717, of October 23, 1928. In said prior patent a process is disclosed for moth-proofing fabrics, in which the fabrics are treated in one solution and then wrung out and passed into another solution, thus necessitating the provision of two solutions and the resulting labor necessary.

The present invention has, as one of the main objects, the provision of a more economical process in that only one solution is used, thus effecting a saving in chemicals as well as a saving in the time and labor involved in the treatment.

A further object is to provide a composition for treating fabrics in which the effective reagents are prevented from precipitating while in solution owing to a protective colloidal efiect, said reagents, however, being precipitated on the textile in the process of drying, whereby the textile is rendered moth-proof, mold-proof, and mildewproof.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, and the novel features of the invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In carrying out my invention I prepare two solutions which I will designate solution I and II, respectively. In solution I, I may use the following ingredients in the proportions specified:

Solution I.6 pounds egg albumin, dissolved in warm water and made up to 125 gallons.

Solution II.66 pounds cerium acetate, dissolved in water and made up to 250 gallons.

Solutions I and II are now thoroughly mixed and constitute the bath for rendering the fabric moth, mildew, and mold-proof, as well as highly water repellent.

In treating the goods, the fabric is drawn through this single bath, which, as stated, is a mixture of solutions I and II, wrung out, and dried. No after-washing is required. The particular feature of this process to which I desire to call attention is the fact that by using the albumin of the proper strength it is possible to secure a protective colloidal effect which prevents precipitation in the solution.

In the example given of solution II, I have named cerium acetate, but other rare earths such as thorium, lanthanum, may be used, as well as corresponding acetates of aluminum, tin, zinc, copper, and the like.

I have found in practice that the soluble proteins mentioned may be used singly or combined, and similarly for solution II, I may use a combination of acetates of the rare earths or of metals named. In each instance, however, the proportions of the albumins with respect to the water should be maintained similar to that in solution I, while mixtures of the acetates with respect to the water should be maintained as that shown in the example given in connection with solution II.

The process of treating fabric disclosed above, while particularly efiicient, is a very economical one, since the fabric can be readily passed through the single solution, wrung out with squeeze rolls and dried, therefore necessitating less handling than in the prior patent aforesaid. The process is equally as well adapted for textiles of different types, such as canvas, cotton, Woolen, linen, and rayon.

I claim:

1. The herein described composition of matter for treating fabrics which consists of a mixture of water soluble egg albumin substantially in the proportion of six pounds of egg albumin dissolved in one hudred and twenty-five gallons of water, and sixty-six pounds of rare earth acetate dissolved in two hundred and fifty gallons of water.

2. The herein described process of treating fabrics to render them moth-proof and water repellent which consists in passing the fabric through a bath composed of a mixture of aqueous solutions of egg albumin and a rare earth acetate so proportioned as to prevent precipitation in the bath, and subsequently wringing and drying the fabric.

3. The herein described composition of matter for treating fabrics which consists of a mixture of water soluble albumin in the proportion of six pounds of albumin dissolved in one hundred and twenty-five gallons of water, and sixty-six pounds of 'metal acetate dissolved in two hundred and fifty gallons of water.

4. The herein described composition of matter for treating fabrics which consists of a mixture of water soluble egg albumin in the substantial proportions of six pounds of albumin dissolved in one hundred and twenty-five gallons of water, and sixty-six pounds of cerium acetate dissolved in two hundred and fifty gallons of water.

HILTON IRA JONES. 

